AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2022 - 104

200+
FLY WITH AOPA
AOPA FOUNDAT ION /
Be like Eddie
Throw your hat in the ring
MORE THAN 100 years ago, the U.S. Army 94th
Aero Squadron was sent to France to see combat
on World War I's western front. The squadron's
aerial achievements ensured its place in
history as a unit of heroism and renown. The
Nieuport 28 C1 and SPAD XIII fighters flown by
the 94th Aero Squadron bore a distinctive insignia:
an American flag motif top hat within a ring.
Several members of the unit, which came to be
known as the Hat in the Ring Squadron, became
air aces, shooting down enemy aircraft including
fighters, reconnaissance airplanes, and observation
balloons. The unit's aces included Eddie
Rickenbacker, America's top-scoring World War
I ace with 26 victories, who became a recipient
of the Medal of Honor and would play an
important role in civil aviation as the leader of
a U.S. airline.
Inspired by the rich history of the 94th Aero
Squadron, its heroes, and their meet-any-challenge
spirit, the AOPA Foundation, the charitable
arm of AOPA, created The Hat in the Ring
Society, a venue for philanthropic pilots to " throw
their hats in the ring " each year with charitable
donations between $1,000 and $9,999.
As the AOPA Foundation's longest-running
philanthropic-giving circle, the Hat in the Ring
Society makes a significant and lasting difference
in general aviation's future, thanks to its members'
generosity.
AOPA's You Can Fly program and Air Safety
Institute are supported through philanthropic
contributions to the AOPA Foundation. The You
Can Fly program seeks to engage young people
in aviation science, technology, engineering, and
math education in school; support flight training
providers; make aviation more affordable
104
AOPA PILOT / January 2022
and accessible through flying clubs; and help
bring lapsed pilots back into aviation. For more
than 60 years, the AOPA Air Safety Institute has
been producing free programs to help all pilots
fly safer. From insightful accident analysis to
award-winning videos, online courses, podcasts,
and more, ASI is guiding GA safety culture by
influencing pilot behavior, policy makers, and
training providers.
foundation.aopa.org
Michael Goulian, Hat in the Ring
Society Chair: " Aviation has been both a
vocation and avocation for me. There is
no passion on Earth like ours for flying.
We're a tightknit community and there
are so many ways to give back to general
aviation. I am happy to be part [of] one of
those ways-an important one. "
Hat in the Ring
Society /
Choose your level
of support
As bronze-level members,
donors throw their " hat in the
ring " and lend their support
to help address challenges
facing general aviation with
an annual contribution of
$1,000 to $2,499. Silver-level
members contribute $2,500 to
$4,999 and gold-level members
contribute $5,000 to $9,999.
All members receive these
benefits:
* Annual exclusive Hat in the
Ring Society gift.
* Hat in the Ring Society name
badge and lapel pin.
* Recognition in the AOPA
Foundation Annual Report.
* Personal membership liaison
at AOPA headquarters.
* Invitations to gatherings at
national aviation events.
* Advance access to AOPA Air
Safety Institute programs.
* Invitation to exclusive
program updates from AOPA
President Mark Baker.
aopa.org/donate
Paul Heintz, 25-year supporter: " I
support the AOPA Foundation because
its main focus today is on encouraging
people to fly, continue to fly, and to fly
safely. That effort is crucial to the health
of the GA industry and to the strength
of its foremost advocate, AOPA, which
exists to preserve our freedom to fly.
My membership in the Hat in the Ring
Society is meaningful to me because
it is a great way to support my 63-year
passion for flying and helps me share
that passion with others. "
The number of Hat in the Ring Society members
who have contributed for 10 or more years.
COURTESY USAF MUSEUM
DID YOU KNOW?
http://foundation.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/donate
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2022

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